There is an old adage “a shiker is a goy” (only gentiles are alcoholics); this profoundly biased and inherently wrong saying has been the progenitor of an almost cultural imperative that the diseases of alcoholism and addiction have bypassed the Jewish culture without even sullying the perceived holiness of the “chosen people”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yet this self inflicted delusion has kept may Jews who suffer from this very real and terminal disease from ever getting help or even having proactive referrals from their Rabbis and spiritual leaders.
The fact is that this “shanda” (shame) factor is responsible for the deaths of perhaps thousands of Jewish addicts who kept their secrets sublimated and ended up in the grave.
There is also a misconception in the general public that alcoholism and addiction are not medical diseases, but rather a question of moral character and will power. This idea has helped to reinforce the widely held cultural belief that Jews are immune to the ravages of this deadly affliction. Addiction is a disease that can be diagnosed by the disease model criteria held by the AMA (American Medical Association). It is not the addict or alcoholics fault that they have this disease (the same way diabetics are not to blame for their ailment), yet it absolutely the addicts obligation to recover. Alcoholism and addiction like diabetes is an incurable, eventually terminal disease that can be treated, and with vigilance be arrested for a lifetime.
Some 76 million Americans have experienced some form of alcoholism or addiction in their families according to the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Dr. Abraham Twerski has been working with addicted Jews and studying the affects of addiction on the Jewish community for many years. Dr. Twerski has written extensively and is an authority on addiction. Some of the following information was taken from his articles. Additionally, the Canadian Jewish News, Orthodox Union, Detroit Jewish News and the Global News Service of the Jewish People have all recently written articles on the problems of drug addiction in the Jewish community.
Alcoholism accounts directly or indirectly for at least 50 percent of the cases that appear in family court. Between 30 and 40 percent of youths in trouble with the law or school authorities come from alcoholic homes. Currently, app. 80 percent of the people in state prisons have alcohol or drug problems. Approximately half of the children of Alcoholics become Alcoholic.
The home is not the only place where alcoholism interferes. Between 6 and 10 percent of employees have alcohol problems. Nationally (U.S.), the total cost is nearly $45 billion a year due to absenteeism, health and welfare services, and property damage as well as loss of production.
Alcohol and drug abuse is a disease. It is a fatal illness that begins with casual or experimental use. It rapidly becomes an addiction, which involves loss of control over the substance or behavior, and eventually leads to self-destruction. The illness deserves treatment. Addiction can be simply defined as continued use despite negative consequences. Shame about this disease keeps those who suffer from it locked in its vicious cycle. The truth is it is not and addicts fault that he has this disease; it is however there responsibility to seek treatment.
The myth that Jews are immune to the diseases of addiction still prevails; though it has been losing its credibility. The textbooks on substance abuse still cite outdated references that Jews drink more alcohol per capita than any other identified ethnic group, yet have a remarkably low rate of alcoholism. Unfortunately myths like these have hampered many who need treatment. Jewish news agencies from around the world are now letting the community know that drug addiction in our community exists and the time to act is now before more lives are lost.
Up until today there has been only one treatment center nation wide that catered to the needs of the Jewish community. Beit T’shuvah in Los Angeles is an exceptional 100 bed facility that has been helping Jews recover for years by using 12 step, classic therapy and Torah/Jewish spirituality. Today there is another option for Jews seeking recovery. Serenity Manor East an established east coast treatment center has responded to the needs of the Jewish community by becoming a bio/psycho/social model treatment center that has adapted to the needs of the Jewish community, by integrating Jewish spirituality as the underlying component of its treatment philosophy. Rabbi Mark “Grommet” Rotenberg CADC has been at the helm of Serenity Manor East for over 18 months and has converted the curriculum and the facility to avail its services to the trans-denominational face of the national Jewish community. The facility adheres strictly to the laws of Kosher and makes recovery accessible for the most religious to the most secular Jew.
Serenity Manor East is a high end treatment facility with only 6 beds that caters to the more affluent Jewish population who may have difficulty integrating into conventional rehabs. The small client population affords the client intensive, personal and individual treatment catering to their specialized needs. The environment at Serenity Manor East prevents the client from slipping through the cracks as often happens in large multi bed facilities. The classic drug and alcohol treatment is handled by certified addiction counselors, therapists, and social workers; while the spiritual focus and psycho/spiritual therapies are given by the Rabbi.
Serenity Manor East has as its objective, to bring Jews who suffer not only from substance and process addictions, but the stigma of these addictions, into recovery. The Jewish community is in a crisis state. The ever growing addiction rate is currently being battled by denial and old views that see addiction as a weakness, rather than a disease that has treatment options. Many reasons for the non-seeking of treatment in this community is the misconception that the 12step model is inherently non-Jewish in nature. The fact that many meetings are held in churches along with the feeling of being an outsider deters many who would seek healing from attendance.
One of the many issues that Serenity Manor East will address includes the dispelling of such unfounded ideas. Treatment in the classic 12 step model is more closely related to a Jewish concept of spiritual growth than any other belief system. One of the basic premises of recovery is “acting your way into right thinking” or “na-ashey v’nishmah” we will do and then we will hear or understand. Through the use of the A.A. texts we will attempt to inculcate ideas that are of a very traditional Jewish nature. It can be said that the Torah is about G-d’s will as opposed to G-d’s nature. That It can be looked upon as a cognitive behavioral modification process, whose intent is to direct the Jew to a path of righteousness and decency. This is the very principle that sits at the root of all anonymous programs.
By creating a recovery community where the Jews can feel at home and not be burdened with the outside issues of struggling to keep the laws of Kashrus or being separated and isolated in Prayer, Serenity Manor East hopes to instill another Jewish and 12 step value; that of Unity “Achdus”. The community is an integral part of recovery, and being a unified front in the Jewish community will help to reintegrate those who feel doubly isolated, those who live a secret life within themselves. Those whose internal struggle about their own spiritual path separates them from their families, and whose Judaism separates them from what they believe to be a predominately Christian recovery community.
Another point of contention is the concept of the good Jew. Many orthodox addicts are trapped in the dilemma of “I am a good Jew, a decent person, with a link to my Jewish roots”, how can I be afflicted with this disease? Why can’t I get it?” We intend to address Torah spirituality through the use of Sifre Kodesh (holy texts). There are volumes of texts that are replete with ideas of recovery. We hope to bridge the Rote/Internalized (Kevah/Kavanah) gap. By teaching assorted texts in a practical application technique; we will hopefully help to establish an underlying mode of having a set routine, without it becoming “routine”. This is the basic concept of One day at a time; the keystone of recovery. Many Jewish addicts raised in Jewish homes are well versed with the execution of prayer and ritual, yet seem to have a problem relating to the actions in terms of experiential reality (spiritually). One great way to get the addict to live in the moment (think about what he/she does) is to slow them down.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has long been a cornerstone of Jewish practice. Made forefront by the modern Mussar movement, teaching character refinement through spiritual discipline, echoes the primary concepts of recovery. Showing clients that their use is not so much a cause of unmanageability in their lives, but a failed coping mechanism resulting from that unmanageability, is an initial awareness necessary for the path of spiritual recovery. Cheshbon Hanefesh (accounting of the soul) is hopefully to become a daily event for those in treatment at Serenity Manor East. The praying of “Ribbono shel Olam” Master of the Universe at bedtime can take on a new profound meaning in the addicts daily house cleaning.
These are the concepts that Serenity Manor East hopes to instill in its client base through practical application of the12 steps, psychotherapy, and textual learning, culminating in an internalized action based recovery that is congruent with Judaism.